Vehicle frame



April 3, 1934. R. H. MADDOCK El AL VEHICLE FRAME CROBEQTRMADDOCK & ALEX WKnuoszu fi. W ATTORNEY Filed Aug. 13, 1932 Patented Apr. 3, 1934 VEHICLE FRALIE Robert H. Maddock and Alex W. Knudsen, Cleveland, Ohio, assignors to Midland Steel Products Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application August 13, 1932, Serial No. 628,652

Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in vehicle frames.

An important object of the invention is to provide reinforcing means for vehicle frames which 5 will materially increase their rigidity; brace the frame against the detrimental effects of torsion, shear and vibration, incidentally reducing the loosening effects a weak frame has upon the body parts; distribute and transmit stress from one side rail to the other, and in general tie the frame parts together so rigidly as to render it substantially a single unit.

Another object of the invention is to provide a reinforcing X-shaped brace which makes provision for the extension of the propeller or drive shaft without weakening the X-shaped brace or detracting from its torsion and shear resisting abilities and in a manner which is inexpensive and simple to manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to provide an X-shaped reinforcing member having its arms extended considerable distances along the side rails to form such portions of the rails into boxlike sections for reinforcement and to connect to other cross braces of the frame to further eliminate vibration or shimmying of the frame.

A still further object of the invention is to pro vide constructions which will so rigidly connect the individual arms of the X-shaped brace as to preclude their relative movement and will cause equal distribution of stresses throughout the frame instead of concentrating them at one or more points therein.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

Referring now to the drawing wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the several views,

Fig. 1 is a perspective viewof a portion of a vehicle frame embodying one form of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan of the intersection or juncture of the members forming the X-shaped brace. Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the same taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2 representing the longitudinal center line of the frame.

Fig. 4 is a top plan similar to Fig. 2 showing a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of another modified construction for the intersection or meeting point of the arms of the X-shaped member, illustrating the web portions thereof inter-connected.

Fig. 7 is a top plan of the same.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of one of the members of the X-shaped brace illustrating a modified manner of forming the same for the extension therethrough of the other member of the X-shaped frame.

Fig. 9 is a top plan of the intersection of another modification of the X-shaped brace.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the same looking into the crotch in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 9.

Referring now more in detail to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawing, the numerals 1 and 2 designate the side rails of a vehicle frame with the flanges thereof facing inwardly as illustrated. These side rails are connected by any desired number of transverse braces, there being in this instance, a transverse member 3 of closed box cross section or other construction connecting the side rails at the forward end of the frame and usually one or more at the rear end of the frame. The X- shaped member in the present'modiflcation is disposed approximately at the mid-section of the frame and is composed of a pair of channelshaped members 4 and 5 arranged in the same horizontal plane and crossed at substantially right angles to intersect or meet at a point in the longitudinal center line of the frame as illustrated. The channel members are arranged so that the forward ends thereof have their flanges 6 extending outwardly and toward the webs of the side rails and are of a height to be nested within portions 70f the side rails to form such portions into box-like cross section. The forward ends. of these diagonally extending members have their flanges secured to the flanges of the side rails by means of rivets 8, or in case the height of the diagonal members 4 and 5 equals that of the side rails, the flanges 6 may be butt-welded to the edges of the flanges of the side rails to be disposed in the same plane therewith. These boxed in portions of the side rails may extend along the same for any desired length and along the front kick-ups or offset portions usually provided in pleasure car frames. The forward ends of the diagonal members 4 and 5 designated by the 100 numeral 9, are angularly disposed to be arranged in forwardly converging relationship and their free ends are equipped with integralgussets 10 for connection with the web and flanges of the cross member 3 by means of rivets or any other 105 suitable form of fastening.

The rear ends 11 of the two diagonal members 4 and 5 have their flanges extending in the same direction as those of the side rails and are angularly disposed as illustrated to nest within these 110 side rails whereby the flanges of these members may be secured to those of the side rail by means of the rivets 12 or any other suitable means. While the webs of the X-shaped member are shown disposed close to the webs of the side rails, it is to be understood that the webs of these two elements may be spaced apart to constitute a boxed in section for the side rails which may extend any desired distance along the side rails and along the rear kick-ups therein to be connected to a rear cross member as is the case with the forward end 9 of the X-shaped brace, or in any other desired manner. From the foregoing,

it will be apparent that the diagonal member 4 of the X-shaped member has one end connected to the left side rail 1 and its other end to the right side rail, while the diagonal member 5 has its rear end connected to the rear of the right side rail 2 and its forward end connected to.v the forward end of the left side rail 1.

These diagonally arranged members 4 and 5 are caused to intersect and be rigidly connected at their intersection by providing the central portion of the web of the member 5 with an opening 13 and offsetting the flanges of the member 5, as indicated at 14. The edges of the opening 13 on opposite sides of the ofiset portion 14 are pressed in opposite directions as best appreciated from Figs. 2 and 3 to form a rearwardly extending flange 15 at the front end of the opening and a forwardly extending flange 16 at the rear end of the opening; both of which flanges are disposed substantially parallel to a vertical plane coincident with the longitudinal axis of the frame. This construction opens up the web of member 5 for the projection of a propeller or drive shaft therethrough and through the intersection of the two diagonal members constituting the X-shaped member. At the same time, the flanges provide for additional strength.

The diagonal member 4 has its web and flanges extended through the opening 13 in the member 5 at substantially right angles thereto with the flanges of the member 4 seated in the offset portions 14 of member 5 and secured thereto by rivets 17 or any other suitable form of fastening. If desired, the flanges of the two members maybe welded where they intersect. A portion of the web of member 4, adjacent the intersection is removed to provide an opening 18, the edges of which are arranged upon opposite sides of the complementary member 5. as are the edges of the opening 13 disposed on opposite sides of the member 4 as illustrated. If preferred, the entire web portion need not be removed as illustrated but portions thereof immediately adjacent the intersecting portions of the flanges of the two diagonal members may be left intact as at 19 in Fig. 8 and the web provided with a substantially U-shaped slot 20 to fit the cross sectional shape of the member 4, with opposite sides of the slot removed as at 13 to provide for propeller shaft clearance. It will thus be'seen thatthe flanges of the member 4 may project through the horizontal portions of the slot 20 while the web fits the vertical portion thereof.

The edges of the opening 18' in the member 4 are pressed in opposite directions on opposite sides of the intersection to form flanges 21 and 22 arranged respectively in longitudinal alignment with the flanges 16 and 15 of the complementary member 5. It will be noted that the flanges 15 and 21 extend inwardly between the flanges of their respective members, while flanges 16 and 22 extend outwardly away from the web and flanges of their respective members. By both sets of flanges being in alignment, ample propeller or drive shaft clearance is provided.

To complete the joint at the intersection of the two diagonally disposed members, top and bottom gusset plates 23 and 24 respectively are riveted or otherwise suitably secured over the intersecting portions of the two members by means of rivets passing through these gussets and overlapped portions of the X member flanges. The

.portions 25 of these gussets are pressed out as illustrated in Fig. 3 to clear the offset portions 14 of the member 5 and to permit flush seating of the four corners of the gussets on the flanges of the two diagonal members. As will be seen, the edges of these gussets span the four crotches formed between the flanges of the members 4 and 5 to substantially reinforce the intersection.

In the modification shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the diagonal members of the X-shaped member are constructed from four separate pieces, instead of two, as in Fig. 1; two of the members diverging toward the rear of the frame being designated by the numeral 25, while those extending in forwardly diverging relationship toward the forward end of the frame are designated by the numeral 26. Parts of this modified form of X- shaped member which correspond in construction to those of the previously described modification are designated with corresponding numerals with prime coefficients to facilitate an understanding of the common subject matter. All four of the members 25 and 26 are of channel cross section and the flanges of the forward member 26 extend toward the flanges of the side rails shaped members joinwith the same. If desired, 1

the member 25 may be arranged in longitudinal alignment with the members 26, but in the present instance they are disclosed out of longitudinal alignment and. with their flanges overlapping and riveted together by means of the rivets 27 as illustrated. This provides substantially a box section where the members 25 and 26 meet and are united; as better appreciated from Fig. 5. The edges of the openings provided in the webs of members 26 are equipped with flanges 15' and 21 for longitudinal alignment with flanges 16 and 22 of the two rear members 25 to provide ample propeller shaft clearance through the intersection of the X-shaped member. The 'top gusset plate 23 overlapping and secured to the meeting ends of the arms by means of rivets, has its outer edges flanged as at 2'7, which flanges at their ends may abutwiththe diagonal members to provide additional reinforcement. The portions 27' of the gusset aredepressed to form shoulders for engagement with the edges of the diverging arms 25. The bottom gusset 24' is provided with-an outwardly tapering downwardly and rearwardly inclined portion '28- terminating in a depending flange 29 for propeller shaft clearance and stiffening. Rivets 30 extend through the gussets 23' and 24 as well as the top and bottom flanges of the members '25 and 26.

In the form of invention illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, the X-shaped member is formed from two construction will channel-shaped sections 31 and 32, each of which is bent intermediate its ends into a substantially right angular bend whereby the two arms of the member 31 may extend rearwardly of the frame to be connected to the two side rails thereof. The

arms of the forward member 32 extend in forwardly diverging relationship to be secured to the two rails of the frames. The members 31 and 32 are disposed web to web and united by welding, riveting, and the attachment of top and bottom gusset plates as in the preceding modification. In order to provide the intersection of this type of member with propeller shaft clearance and to additionally reinforce the intersection, the web portion of each member 31 and 32 at the bend is provided with an I-shaped slit so that these portions 33 of the member 31 defined by the slit may be bent outwardly and riveted or secured in any other suitable manner to the outer surface of the web of member 32. The portions 34 of member 32 are bent as illustrated in Fig. 7. to lap the interior surfaces of the web portions of member 31 to be secured thereto in any suitable manner.

This construction provides for tying the webs of the two members together while simultaneously providing for propeller shaft clearance.

The modification shown in Figs. 9 and follows along the lines of that shown in Figs. 1 to 3 and accordingly; parts possessing corresponding be designated with a numeral corresponding to that in Figs. 1 to 3 but with a prime coefficient added thereto. As will be noted, the diagonal channel member of the diagonal member 5 of the X-shaped member has its web portion provided with a U-shaped slit so that the portion 35 defined thereby can be bent inwardly between the flanges of the member 5' to overlap and be riveted to a corresponding portion 36 provided from the web of member 4. These two portions 35 and 36 are provided with cut-out portions 37 for drive shaft clearance and employed as gussets by riveting or welding them to the top and bottom flanges of the members 4 and 5' as illus trated in Fig. 9. The webs of the members 4' and 5' at the opposite angle of the intersection are similarly slit and bent outwardly of their respective webs to provide overlapping tongues or tabs 38 suitably secured together. Portions of these overlapped tongues 38 are removed for propeller shaft clearance and these removed portions are designated by the numeral 39 for reinforcing the forward crotch of the X member. A pair of channel shaped gussets 40 are secured within the members 4' and 5 at opposite angles of the intersection and thereby form a box-shaped section for these portions of the members. Each gusset may be, if desired, provided with an integral an- .gularly extending flange 41 for connection to the adjacent web. If desired, top and bottom gusset plates similar to those at 23 and 24 of Fig. 1 may be secured to the intersection to additionally reinforce the same where necessary.

It is to be understood that various changes in the construction and relation of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. An automobile frame including side members, an X-shaped brace comprising diagonally extending channel members connected at their ends to the side members, the webs of certain of said diagonal members adjacent theirjuncture having openings conjointly forming a propeller shaft opening, and the edges of said opening having flanges extending at an angle to its respective web, the flange of the web of one member being substantially in longitudinal alignment to the flange of the web of another of said members.

2. In an automobile frame, a pair of side members, a pair of diagonally extending channel members intersecting at a point intermediate the side ing adjacent its central portion, opposite edges of each opening having flanges disposed on opposite sides of its web, one of said members having portions of its flanges extending through the opening in the web of the other member and secured to the flanges of said other member.

3. In an automobile frame, a pair of side members, a pair of diagonally extending channel members intersecting at a point intermediate the side members and having their ends secured to the lat-- ter, the web of each member having an opening adjacent its central portion, each opening having-flanges disposed on opposite sides of its web, one of said members having portions of its flanges extending through the opening in the web of the other member and secured to the flanges of said other member, and gusset plates overlapping the intersection of said members and rigidly connected thereto.

4. In an automobile frame, a pair of side members, an X-shaped brace including a pair of intersecting channel shaped arms secured to said side members, the web of one of said arms having an opening and its flanges offset above and below the opening, and the other arm having its web and flanges extending through said opening and its flanges secured to said offset portions of the flanges.

5. In an automobile frame, a pair of side members, an X-shaped brace comprising diagonally extending channel members connected at their ends to the side members and meeting at the longitudinal center of the frame, and the web portions of said channel members having flanges struck out therefrom and interconnected, and vertical gussets secured between the flanges of the channel members at points adjacent the struck out portions of the webs.

ALEX W. KNUDSEN. ROBERT H. MADDOCK. 

